Disc clutch



April 7, 1964 G. s. ALLlN, SR 3,127,970

DISC CLUTCH Filed Nov. 7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4o 5&0 4p 40 T II II nIllllll n u unmu n n um INVENTOR.

GEORGE s. ALLIN, Sr. BY

ANDRUS 8 STARKE Attorneys April 7, 1964 e. s. ALLlN, SR

DISC CLUTCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 7, 1960 INVENTOR. GEORGE S.ALLIN, Sr.

ANDRUS 8| STARKE Attorneys A ril 7, 1964 G. s. ALLlN, SR

DISC CLUTCH INVENTOR. GEORGE S. ALLIN, Sr.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 7, 1960 ANDRUS 8| STARKE Attorneys G. S.ALLIN, SR

DISC CLUTCH April 7, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 7, 1960 INVENTOR.GEORGE S. ALLIN, Sr. BY

ANDRUS 8 STARKE Attorneys United States Patent 3,127,970 7 DISC CLUTCHGeorge S. Allin, Sr., Green Bay, Wis., assignor to Northwest EngineeringCorporation, Green Bay, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Nov. 7,1960, Ser. No. 67,603 4 Claims. (Cl. 192-407) This invention relates toa disc clutch of the type generally adapted for the operation of powershovels, cranes, draglines and the like where frequent clutch actuationand controlled clutch slippage gives rise to problems of distortion ofclutch parts and of maintenance.

Clutches of this general heavy duty type require frequent replacement ofthe friction elements on the discs and for this purpose it has generallybeen necessary to disassemble the entire clutch and to reassemble itagain, requiring a substantial shut down time for the entire machine.

Where former discs were constructed in segments they were left loose forcentrifugal displacement against their mounting and which preventedaxial release of the clutch during rotation of the drive hub and discs.Pu thermore loose segments have proven to be subject to distortion thatresulted in uneven wear and clutch actuation.

In carrying out the present invention the segments of the discs arerigidly secured together end to end leaving the discs free ofcentrifugal movement that would tend to bind the same in the mountingand prevent free floating of the discs axially of the clutch.

The clutch is comprised of alternate axially floating drive and drivendiscs disposed between an end drive disc and an opposite end driven discwhich are relatively axially movable in opposite directions to engagethe discs and close the clutch or to disengage the discs and open theclutch selectively.

The end discs are mounted on separate co-axial hubs which provide thedrive and driven input and output members of the clutch, respectively.One of the hubs and its corresponding end disc are held fixed againstaxial movement while the other hub and its corresponding end disc areaxially movable to actuate the clutch. One of the end discs fixedrigidly to its corresponding hub while the other end disc is universallymounted on its corresponding hub to provide freedom of adjustment whenthe clutch is closed and opened.

Various details of the clutch construction are more specificallydescribed hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings whichillustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out theinvention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a reverse shaft type disc clutch embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal axial section of theright-hand clutch of FIG. 1 with the clamp arm and the radial bracketsof the drive hub in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a reduced fragmentary transverse section taken on line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 with part of the hub broken away;

FIG. 4 is a reduced transverse section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation of a driven disc showing thejoint between two segments;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged transverse section taken on line =6'6 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7-is an end elevation of the clutch taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 1,and with the drive shaft sectioned;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse section through the outer end of theclutch on a 90 plane to FIG. 2 illus- 3,127,970 Patented Apr. 7, 1964trating the connection of the drive hub to the mounting ring supportingthe outer end drive disc; and

FIG. 9 is a transverse section taken online 9 -9 of FIG. 2.

The reverse shaft type clutch illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises twoseparate clutches I1 and 2 mountedon a common drive shaft 3 and havingcorresponding output bevel gears 4 concentric with shaft 3 and whichface each other to drive a common bevelgear 5 on a driven shaft 6disposed normal to shaft 3.

The output of each individual clutch is coaxial with the input and is inthe same rotational direction as the rotation of the drive shaft 3. Byplacing the clutches 1 and 2 on opposite sides of bevel gear 5 thelatter may be rotated in either direction depending upon which clutchmay be engaged at a given time.

The clutches 1 and 2 constitute a pair of forward and reverse driveclutches, and in order to prevent both driving at the same time they aredisposed back to back and preferably actuated by a commonlongitudinally. movable control rod 7 extending axially of drive shaft 3and which is connected to the movable outer actuating ring 8 of eachclutch by a radial arm 9 extending through -a slot 10 in the hollowshaft 3.

Each clutch comprises a drive hub 11 and a driven hub constituted of thebevel gear 4 having a bushing 12 rotatably supporting the same on theshaft 3. The drive hub 11 is splined to shaft 3 to drive the samerotationally therewith while providing longitudinal movement of the hubupon the shaft. For this purpose the actuating ring 8 is threaded on theend of the correspondinghub 11 to move the same by axial movement of rod7.

The driven hub 4 is journalled on shaft 3 to rotate therewith when theclutch is engaged and to remain stationary thereon when the clutch isreleased. Where forward and reverse clutches are provided as shown inFIG. 1, the driven hub 4 of the clutch that is released will be rotatedby gear 5 in a direction opposite to shaft 3 when the other clutch isengaged.

Each clutch is of the multiple disc type, having alternate circulardrive discs and circular drivendiscs which are disposed for relativeaxial movement into and out of engagement.

The outer end drive disc 13 is removably mounted on hub 11 to rotate andmove axially therewith- The mounting of disc 13 is universal to permitthe disc to have free angular movement within predetermined limits onany transverse axis normal to the axis of drive shaft 3.

For this purpose hub 11 carries two diametrically opposed radialbrackets 14 to which an intermediate mounting ring 15 is pivoted bycorresponding radial aligned pins 16 having tapered portions 17 seatedin the brackets 1'4 and secured therein by corresponding nuts 18threaded on the inner ends of the pins. The pins 16 extend intocorresponding aligned bearing openings in ring 15 and thereby mount thelatter for pivotal movement on the axis of the pins which is transverseto shaft 3.

The ring 15 has two diametrically opposite brackets 19 to which the disc13 is pivotally attached by corresponding radial aligned pins 20 havingtapered portions 21 seated in the brackets 19 and secured therein bycorresponding nuts 22 threaded on the inner ends of the pins. The pins20 extend into corresponding aligned bearing openings in flange lugs 23on disc 13 and thereby mount the latter for pivotal movement on the axisof pins 20 which is transverse to shaft 3.

By disposing the axis of pins 20 at approximately from the axis of pins16 the disc 13 is free to move universally to adjust itself forcompensation of varying thicknesses of the several discs of the clutch.

The remaining circular drive discs 24 are carried by three equallyspaced radial arms 25 extending from hub 11 and are interlockedtherewith by gear segments 26 on the arms which intermesh withcorresponding circumferentially spaced complemental sets of gear teeth27 on the inner edge of the discs. The segments 26 and teeth 27 serve todrive the discs 24 rotationally with hub 11 and also provide for axialfloating of discs 24 when hub 11 is moved longitudinally to actuate orrelease the clutch.

The innermost end driven disc 23 is removably secured by bolts 29 to asegment carrier 30 which is in turn fastened to hub 4 by bolts 31 andserves to drive the hub. The remaining driven discs 32 are disposedalternately between discs 13 and 24 and are free floating axially of theclutch.

The floating discs 32 are held in position concentrically of the otherdiscs by a pair of diametrically opposed arms 33 rigidly carried by theinner end disc 28 fixed to segment carrier 3% and which arms have innerteeth 34 extending parallel to the axis of the clutch and intermeshingwith corresponding gear teeth 35 on the outer edge of the floating disc32. The teeth 34 and 35 compel rotation of arms 33, inner disc 28,segment carrier 30 and driven hub 4 with the floating discs 32, and alsoprovide for axial movement of the floating discs 32 relative to eachother and to the axially fixed inner disc 28 during clutch actuation.

Actuation of the clutch by rod '7 pulling hub 11 in a direction movingouter driving disc 13 toward inner driven disc 28 effects clutchingengagement of the discs whereby hub 4 is driven rotationally from theconstantly rotating drive hub 11. Pushing of rod 7 in the oppositedirection moves hub 11 to release the clutch by moving outer disc 13away from inner disc 28 and permitting the floating discs 24 and 32 toseparate, thereby breaking the driving connection through the discs sothat hub 41 is no longer rotated by hub 11.

The driven discs 28 and 32 are lined on the operative sides with facingmaterial 36 which may be secured thereto by suitable countersunk rivets37 to constitute a part of the discs. The material 36 is generally wearresistant and provides a friction face for engagement with adjacentdiscs 13 and 24 and effecting the clutching action.

In order that new lining can be applied to the discs 28 and 32 withoutdisassembling the entire clutch each disc is formed or cut intosegments, those shown each having two semi-circular segments with thearms 33 disposed at approximately 90 from the diametric line ofseparation of the segments.

The inner disc 28 has its segments bolted to carrier 30 and thecorresponding meeting ends of the two segments are retained radially bya ring-shaped dowel 38 which is held in a complementary circular groovein the two segments by an overlying plate 39 removabiy secured at itsends to the corresponding segments as by bolts 39'.

The remaining floating discs 32 have their segments secured rigidlytogether by connecting blocks 40 applied across the gap between thecorresponding segment ends and interlocked with the segments as byintermeshing of teeth 41 on the inner surface of the blocks and teeth 35on the outer edges of the discs as shown in FIG. 5. Suitable bolts 42secure the blocks 40 to the segments and retain the discs in rigidcircular shape.

Each disc 32 may be initially constructed as a circular integral unitand machined as required, and then severed diametrically to provide thetwo separable segments thereof. Since the teeth 35 will have beenmachined as on a circular piece, the teeth 41 on blocks 40 will securethe segments in exact complemental position to provide the circulardisc.

With the construction described only the driven discs 28 and 32 need beremoved for replacing the lining 36 thereon. This can be accomplishedreadily by unbolting the plate 39 and removing dowel ring 33 to free thesegments of the inner end disc 28 from each other, unbolting the innerdisc 28 from carrier 34 and then lifting the segments of the inner disc23 with the arms 33 thereon outwardly of the clutch; and removing bolts42 to free the segments of the floating discs 32. from each other,followed by lifting of the segments of the floating discs 32 outwardlyfrom between the adjacent driving discs.

The discs 28 and 32 are then re-lined with new facing material 3-6 byseparately lining each of the disc segments as needed whereupon thediscs are re-assembled in the clutch by a reverse of the above describedremoval process. In the invention, any variations occurring in thethickness of the facing material on corresponding faces of the segmentscomprising any particular disc are automatically compensated for by theuniversally adjustable end drive disc l3.

In order to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of discs 32, thesegments of the discs are preferably limited to two in number so thatthey may be readily separated or closed together.

The drive discs 13 and 24 need not be disturbed in the process ofremoving and re-inserting discs 28 and 32.

By reason of the fact that the segments of discs 32 are rigidly clampedtogether by blocks 48 the discs are in effect rigid and as though in onepiece. Consequently, they do not expand outwardly by centrifugal forcesinto engagement with arms 33 and there is no binding between the meshingteeth 34 and 35 on the arms 33 and discs 32 respectively that would tendto interfere with the free actuation of the clutch. All of the clutchdiscs are free to separate upon release of the clutch and clutchslippage will effect more uniform Wear on all the discs.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. In a multiple disc structure of the class described having alternatediscs lined with friction material for engagement with correspondingfaces of the remaining discs, a construction for said alternate lineddiscs each of which comprises circumferentially spaced segmentsproviding a line of separation between adjacent segments, removablemeans bridging the line of separation between said segments to securesaid separate segments of each disc rigid- 1y together to provide thecorresponding discs, and external clamping means carried by one of saidsegmental discs and interlocking with the other segmental discs toposition the same concentrically with respect to said other discs, saidclamping means being removable along with said one segmental disc toprovide for removal of said other lined disc segments from the structureafter removal of said securing means.

2. In a device of the class described having relatively rotatable setsof alternate discs carried by corresponding axially aligned hubs withrelatively movable end discs axially and rotationally fixed to thecorresponding hubs and with intermediate discs freely floating axiallytherebetween; a mounting for one of said end discs upon its hubcomprising an intermediate support ring, means pivotally mounting saidring on the hub on a transverse pivot axis substantially normal to theaxis of the device, means pivotally mounting said one end disc on saidsupport ring on a transverse pivot axis substantially normal to the axisof the device and to said first named transverse pivot axis to providefor universal adjustment of said one end disc to variations in thethickness of the stack of alternate discs.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the removable meansbridging the line of separation between adjacent segments to secure thesegments rigidly together comprises a member having interlocking teethengaging complementary teeth on the outer circumference of saidsegments.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the external clampingmeans carried by one of said segmental discs includes interlocking teethengaging complementary teeth on the outer circumference of said othersegmental discs to provide for transmission of rotary forces to and fromsaid other discs and for free axial movement of said other discs at alltimes within the clutch.

1,132,216 Rogers Mar. 16, 1915 6 Scofield June 15, 1915 Birkigt Ian. 27,1931 Hand Dec. 26, 1933 Harwood et a1 May 23, 1939 Du Bois July 15, 1947Hornbostel Sept. 16, 1952 Carlson Mar. 31, 1953 Spase Aug. 2, 1955Rudisch Nov. 17, 1959

1. IN A MULTIPLE DISC STRUCTURE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED HAVING ALTERNATEDISCS LINED WITH FRICTION MATERIAL FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH CORRESPONDINGFACES OF THE REMAINING DISCS, A CONSTRUCTION FOR SAID ALTERNATE LINEDDISCS EACH OF WHICH COMPRISES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED SEGMENTSPROVIDING A LINE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN ADJACENT SEGMENTS, REMOVABLEMEANS BRIDGING THE LINE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN SAID SEGMENTS TO SECURESAID SEPARATE SEGMENTS OF EACH DISC RIGIDLY TOGETHER TO PROVIDE THECORRESPONDING DISCS, AND EXTERNAL CLAMPING MEANS CARRIED BY ONE OF SAIDSEGMENTAL DISCS AND INTERLOCKING WITH THE OTHER SEGMENTAL DISCS TOPOSITION THE SAME CONCENTRICALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID OTHER DISCS, SAIDCLAMPING MEANS BEING REMOVABLE ALONG WITH SAID ONE SEGMENTAL DISC TOPROVIDE FOR REMOVAL OF